This is what HAPPY looks like!

Sonnet is just such a precious child!  She is usually happy like this.  Her care requires a lot of work, but with a smile like this I don't mind very much!

We're home!

We arrived home from China on Saturday.  Aside from some jet lag (honestly it isn't as bad this time as it has been in the past) we are doing well.  Sonnet is settling in to the family very nicely and her siblings think she is just the best.  We're all wondering how we ever managed to live without her!  Yes, we are awfully love stricken here.  I'll have lots of pictures and stories later, but I wanted to let you all know we are home. 

Traveling by Train

On Friday we traveled via the high speed bullet train from Changsha to Guangzhou.  What beautiful country we were able to see!  Our adoption trips have been spent in cities, so this was a part of China that we hadn't seen before.

In the train station in Changsha we were able to hire someone to take our luggage on a cart onto the train car for us.  Once we arrived in Guangzhou it was just us.  We had to get our three large suitcases, our backpacks, purses, diaper bag, camera bag, snack bag, etc. plus a stroller and a child who can't stand up on their own OFF the train (lift it over the rather large crack between the train and the platform first!) then down the escalator to get out of the station.  I got my suitcase onto the step wrong and was so afraid I was going to just lose the whole thing and wipe out Ethan, Tikvah and Sonnet who were in front of me! 

IF you get the chance to take the train I do recommend it.  It was a very comfortable ride with beautiful views!  But be aware that you have to carry off everything you take on, all by yourself!  Travel as lightly as you are able!

When we arrived in Guangzhou we were met by the same guide (Sarah) who helped us when we adopted Isaac.  It was wonderful to see a familiar face and to be in a part of China where many of the staff at businesses know at least a little English.

We had points and were able to get a suite in the Marriott FREE for our stay in Guangzhou.  It is the first time we've stayed in this hotel, and we're so very happy with it.  It has been terribly hot and steamy, but our room in nice and cool.

On Saturday Sonnet had to have her health exam in the morning, then in the afternoon we had (MORE!) paperwork to do with our guide to prepare for the Consulate appointment.  Saturday evening we went out with the rest of the families who are here and with WACAP.   It has been fun meeting online friends.  Poor Sonnet was so tired out from the day that she didn't eat any of her dinner and Ethan and I took turns walking her out in the lobby area so everyone else could eat and not listen to her howl. Adoption trips are probably even harder on the kids then they are on the parents! 

Moving on to Guangzhou

We've spent the week in Changsha, China waiting for Sonnet's passport to be completed.  Our guide will pick it up this morning, then we will board a train and head to Guangzhou, China for a week.  Every adoptive family has to finish their trip in this city since it is where the child completes a health exam, TB testing, and finally the all important appointment at the American Consulate where the immigrant visa is completed.

We are overall doing well.  Sonnet has some health issues that we weren't expecting, and we're emailing back and forth with our international doctor and agency attempting to get some medications for her once we get to Guangzhou.  I will be very thankful to get home to our own doctors and medical clinics in another week!

Statue of Mao on Orange Island

We'd appreciate your prayers.   These are long, stressful trips!

We have Sonnet!

We met Sonnet nearly twenty-four hours ago.

She is an active, happy little girl who took to us right away. 

We are so happy she is ours at last!

Ni hao from Changsha, China!

Ni hao from Changsha in Hunan Province!  We arrived very early this morning.  Just one more sleep then we'll be able to take custody of Sonnet!

We have a lovely room here.  We're thinking to maybe move the little couch up against our bed tomorrow to keep Sonnet really close.  If that doesn't seem to work so well we may request a crib.

We also have a living room area and the couch works great for Tikvah's sleeping arrangements.

Tomorrow morning we get Sonnet!  Here are the gifts for the nannies and provincial officials, and Sonnet's little backpack just waiting for her!

The usual practice in China adoptions is to receive the child then have a twenty-four hour "harmonious" period before the actual legal proceedings to finalize the adoption.  Because of some meetings happening in the province on Tuesday we will be able to also legally complete the adoption on Monday.  Our Tuesday just opened wide up for a free day of getting to know our little girl.  Stay tuned!

We're going to China!

It was a whirlwind of a week last week that saw our medically expedited paperwork accomplish a few weeks of work in just one!  Our Article 5 was dropped off, approved, picked up, travel approval received, Consulate appointment confirmed, and our travel arrangements made!  Wow!

If all goes according to plan we will be meeting Sonnet on Monday, June 27 and taking custody of her at that time.  The legal adoption then happens on Tuesday, June 28.

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for her as her world is about to be turned upside down.  For our kids at home and their caregivers staying with them in our home. (understandably they are all a little anxious at us being away for a couple of weeks)  And for us as we travel and operate on a timetable that is twelve hours off from our usual time zone.  It is also supposed to be hot where we are going -- REALLY HOT!

If we are able to maintain a connection while in China, we hope to update the blog with photos of our time there.  Stay tuned!